FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Dear members and friends of ALPS,
By now you should all have received a copy of The Chanticleer and been able to enjoy both its layout and contents. It should be pretty obvious that the magazine, elegant and informative as it is, is a testament to the high regard in which the Association of Lyceum Past Students holds its members, its friends and their families.
No other association of past students of any other school in Malta can surpass the success that ALPS, with its dynamism and energy, has managed to achieve over the past 15 years.
Following up on the letter included with every copy of The Chanticleer sent out, I am personally again appealing to each and every one of you to show your continued support and generosity by helping the Association to recover some of the hefty costs of producing The Chanticleer. Any type or amount of remittance will be greatly appreciated. Cheques may be forwarded to ALPS Secretary-General Alex Borg (see masthead for details). And thank you all in anticipation of the help that you may offer ALPS in this respect.
GEORGE DEI CONTI STAGNO NAVARRA
President, ALPS
Ghaqda Ex-Studenti Liceo
HUGE SUCCESS AT 15TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
The 15th anniversary Foundation Day Concert, held on 24th April at the Salesian Theatre in Sliema, has already gone into the annals of the Association of Lyceum Past Students as another unmitigated success. Dubbed Souvenir d’Italie, produced and directed by ALPS Cultural Commission Chairman and Choirmaster Joe Fenech, it presented a potpourri of 22 Italian songs from various eras and regions, sung by some of Malta’s leading soloists and regular participants in ALPS activities, and by others relatively new to the ALPS scene.
The singers were sopranos Karen Camilleri and Anita Cauchi, tenor Bernard Busuttil, baritones Louis Cassar, Joe Huber and Ivan Vella, bass Joseph Cassar and Terry L. Bencini. And of course, there was the ALPS Choir, trained by Yolanda Micallef, which performed some songs on its own and accompanied the soloists in others.
There can be no doubt that the ALPS Choir is getting better and more confident with every performance, both in musical rendition and in presentation. The ladies looked so elegant with smart and colourful shawls, as did the male singers in dark suits and bowties.
Also taking part were Mario Bisazza, Romwald Aquilina and Antoinette Caruana, all on violin; Gilmore Peplow on the violoncello, Tony Zammit on the mandolino and Michael Pace Ross and GianLuca Valentino on the Spanish guitar. Sandy Spiteri, Angèle Debono and Rachel Attard were supporting cast. Even with the help of Salesian Theatre backstage management and staff, led by Stage Manager Carlo Forte, the performance went really well and gave the audience a spectacular concert. Stage veteran Narcy Calamatta compèred.
The long and spontaneous applause was proof enough of the event’s success. Many members of the audience came forward with genuine congratulations at the end of the concert.
Joe Fenech is now aiming for the next performance in June 2009, with the Sliema Philharmonic Society. The challenge has already been taken up with gusto.
A.L.P.S. BIDS FAREWELL TO PRESIDENT FENECH ADAMI
As ALPS letterheads show at the top, the President of Malta is the Patron of the Association of Lyceum Past Students. It was therefore only fitting that a delegation of the Association, led by President George dei Conti Stagno Navarra, should pay an official visit to President Eddie Fenech Adami in the final week of his tenure of office.
President Fenech Adami visibly appreciated the gesture, and in spite of his very busy schedule spent some time talking to the delegation collectively and individually. It was obvious that he knew most members of the Council of Administration personally.
Mr Stagno Navarra presented His Excellency with a copy of The Chanticleer and, in a short speech, thanked him for all his efforts during his long public career and wished him a long, happy and healthy retirement.
FEAST OF ST GEORGE PRECA AT PWALES
The next date on the ALPS 15th anniversary activities calendar will be the liturgical feast of St George Preca, ALPS’s patron saint, a Lyceum past student and Malta’s only saint to date, on Saturday 9th May.
ALPS Spiritual Director Fr William Bartolo OFM Conv. will celebrate Holy Mass at the St Anne Chapel in Pwales Valley at 5.30 p.m., together with any other ordained Lyceum past students who might wish to join him. The ALPS Choir will sing during Mass.
The Salesian Theatre was packed to capacity for the Foundation Day Concert. Can we hope to see a sizeable congregation at the Pwales chapel spilling out onto the parvis?
LYCEUM BICYCLE MARATHON LOTTERY WINNERS
The ALPS Council of Administration expresses its heartfelt thanks to all members and friends who bought tickets for the 3rd April draw of the lottery in support of the 2009 Lyceum Bicycle Marathon, even though the tickets were sent at short notice. The noble gesture to help boost marathon proceeds in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza was greatly appreciated. ALPS raised €750 from the sale of tickets alone, including donations.
The first prize, a weekend break for two at Hilton Malta, St Julian’s, was won by the holder of ticket 003928. Second, a one-night stay for two at the Westin Dragonara, ticket 005505. Third, dinner for two at the Blue Elephant Restaurant, 012656. Fourth, Sunday buffet lunch for two at the Oceania Restaurant, 008984. Fifth, a GO Home Pack voucher, 002274. Sixth, another GO Home Pack voucher, 016746. Seventh, Sunday lunch for two at the Antonine Maritim Hotel, Mellie?a, 005646.
Holders of all winning tickets have been notified by telephone or mobile.
BOOKS, PAINTING, PHOTOGRAPHY, CRAFTS EXHIBITION
Arguably one of the greatest organisational challenges in the activities ALPS is bringing up in the year-long activities to mark the 15th anniversary of its foundation in March 1994 will be the Books, Painting, Photography and Crafts Exhibition in September 2009.
The bulk of the organisational work is being taken up by Lyceum Youths Commission Chairman Joe Micallef, eagerly helped by Lyceum masters and senior students for whom the Lyceum Youths Section was set up earlier this year. But of course, help will be forthcoming from quarters of the ALPS Council of Administration, not least ALPS News and the Communications and Publications Commission chaired by Laurence Vella.
There are, of course, hundreds of Lyceum past students (not necessarily members of ALPS) who have made their professional or amateur mark in one or other of the artistic fields that the exhibition will embrace. But space will be at a premium because the exhibition will pointedly be set up in the first Lyceum building in Merchants Street, Valletta – what are now the head offices of Heritage Malta. This makes early registration by intending participants imperative.
It is hoped that the aura of nostalgia that the first Lyceum building suggests will make it a strong attraction not only for the participants but also for all those who are proud of belonging to The Lyceum – especially the ones that will be drawn there because the building brings back years of serious schooling for them. The visit is sure to conjure up many memories of the good old days.
Initially, at least, please channel all enquiries and registrations through ALPS Secretary-General Alex Borg (see masthead for details), who will then coordinate with Joe Micallef.
LET’S GO CRUISING … AGAIN
The number of participants for this year’s cruise on the m.v. Norwegian Gem is expected to surpass last year’s figure of 62 who went on a seven-day Western Mediterranean cruise.
This is borne out by the way that cabins put at the disposal of ALPS members and friends by SMS are being snapped up. Bookings are continuing to come in, so anyone who has already made up their minds to join the cruise but not yet booked is urged to approach SMS in Republic Street, Valletta, and paying the deposit to secure a good cabin.
Do not leave things to the last minute if you wish to have a cabin to your liking, rather than simply taking one of what is left. Remember, the outside cabins are the first to be sold. Joining the ALPS group this year will give you a holiday to remember, just as it has done to others. The Association’s members and friends certainly know how to enjoy themselves when they go abroad together as one big happy family…
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual obligation for ALPS members to pay their subscription fees for the year is with us again. Fees are to be addressed to ALPS Treasurer David Abela at “Juniper”, Triq Ganni Vella, Tal-Qattus, Birkirkara.
How you can help the
Association of Lyceum Past Students
Become a member
Entice others to become members
Spread the word about the enjoyment of ALPS activities
Come up with ideas of cultural, social and philanthropic events
Keep your membership subscriptions up to date
Contacts: Telephone 21 386812, e-mail info@alpsmalta.com